Storing personal belongings

A "personal belonging" is any item a candidate brings to the test center that is not either approved by the exam sponsor or pre-approved as an accommodation. These belongings are not allowed due to security reasons. For example, candidates can hide notes in a purse or briefcase or send out information about an exam through their mobile phone.

Candidates are allowed to take only their primary ID and approved items into the testing room. All personal belongings must be stored in a locker or kept outside of the test center, such as in the candidate's vehicle. This information is on the rules agreement that the candidate receives and is also posted within the test center. Candidates are informed that Pearson VUE is not responsible for forgotten, lost, or stolen items.

Candidates are discouraged from bringing any personal belongings to the test center because the items must be stored in a secure space and are not permitted in the testing room.

Follow these steps when you get to the admission step about telling candidates where they can store their personal belongings:

Explain to the candidate that no personal belongings are allowed in the testing room except for his or her ID. The belongings must be kept in a locker or returned to the candidate's vehicle.

For more information about what items are and are not allowed in the testing room, see Personal belongings that must be stored, Permitted personal items, and Comfort aids.

Check the exam sponsor's client reference for specific requirements that an exam sponsor may have about which items may be brought into the testing room.

If a candidate insists on taking an unapproved item into the testing room, explain the policy again, and make sure a coworker is there to witness the candidate's behavior. Ask the candidate to store the item, and advise the candidate that you need to report the situation if he or she does not cooperate. If the candidate still refuses to store the item, follow the candidate misconduct process (WIN process). For more information, see Responding to candidate misconduct. Create a case immediately, and include information about the type of item the candidate refuses to store.

When a candidate is taking a break, the candidate is permitted to access stored personal items if permitted by the exam sponsor. Generally, candidates are not allowed to access personal items during unscheduled breaks unless it is necessary, such as medication. Candidates generally may access items during scheduled breaks because these breaks usually come during section breaks when items already answered can no longer be accessed. See Break policies, and always check the exam sponsor's client reference for specific requirements.

Show the candidate where to store his or her personal belongings.

Each locker is numbered and contains a key on a large, numbered key ring. The candidate should remove the key and keep it with him or her until after the exam.
Discourage candidates from sharing lockers as the candidates' exams will likely end at different times.
Ask the candidate to turn off his or her cell phone before placing it in the locker. If the candidate refuses to turn off the phone, or if you later find out that the candidate did not turn off the phone, create a case for candidate misconduct. Do not interrupt a candidate's exam if you discover that the phone is not turned off while the candidate is still testing (for example, the phone starts ringing).
If candidates claim not to need a locker because they did not bring any personal belongings, explain that even wallets and watches are considered to be personal belongings and are not allowed in the testing room.
The locking mechanism on the lockers can become damaged if a locker door is closed when the locking mechanism is in the "locked" position. Ask candidates not to try closing a locker when it is in the "locked" position.

Click Next to continue the admission process.